Bumper construction



Dec. 3, 1935. H, s, JANDUS 2,022,667

BUMPER CONSTRUCTI ON Filed June 26, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 "Il new i "a l 7.27.75' .z-j Er" Dec. 3, 1935. y H, s, JANDUS 2,022,667

BUMPER CONSTRUCT ION Filed June 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 3, 1935 BUMPER CONSTRUCTION Herbert S.

' General Spring Jandus, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Bumper Corporation, Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 26, 1933, Serial No. 677,583

This invention has to do with concerned more particularly with the built-up type.

11 Claims.

bumpers, and is bumpers of It is an object of this invention to provide a bumper structure embodying a plurality of impact sections and improved a rigid connection therebetween.

means for affording It is another object of the invention to provide an impact bar comprising sections which are lapped at the center of the bar, together with means for rigidly connecting the same so that the sectional impact bar will func tion as efflciently as a single integral impact bar.

It is another object of the in vention to combine a medallion with means for connecting the ends of impact bar sections together.

It is a further object of the invention to secure the adjacent ends of impact bar sections in such a manner as to prevent relative movement of the parts associated with the.

connection.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a bumper structure embodying a single impact member consisting of a plurality of sections rigidly connected together, and including means whereby the supporting bar structure is also rigidly secured to the connected sections of the impact bar.

In carrying out the invention into practice, the impact bar is built up of a plurality of sections the adjacent ends of which are formed to lap each other, preferably though not necessarily at the center of the bar.

ture is preferably formed is positioned behind the these so that a lapped p The supporting strucbar thereof ortions, and

parts are thereupon connected by plates days, the medallion is engaging portions of a said surface transversely, and that greatly to the rigidity of the joint.

preferably formed with shape corresponding to contributes A built-up impact bar made in accordance with the present invention may embody two half sections as illustrated or may embody a greater number of sections, secured together with clamps as by bolts passing through the lapped portions and into the clamps as stated. The

impact and back bars may be connected in any way, as by rivets or bolts or by hinges. may be manufactured more cheaply Vtegral impact bar since complex e operations are obviated when it is de A built-up bumper than an indge bending sired to provide an impact bar of unusual shape such as would involve edge bending operations. The Vmeans employed in accordance with the present invention for connecting the lapped parts together, serves also as a means to connect inter- 5 mediate portions of the impact and back bar, and serves further to provide the ornamental clamp means ordinarily employed in integral impact bar bumpers.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

This invention (in preferred forms) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a bumper construction embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the construction shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially in the plane designated by the line III-III in Figure 2, certain parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially in the plane designated by the line IV-IV in Figure 2, certain parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially in the plane designated by the line V-V in Figure l, certain parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 6 isl an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a modied form of the invention.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially in the plane designated by the line IX-IX in Figure 8, certain parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially in the plane designated by the line X-X in Figure 8, certain parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially in the plane designated by the line XI-XI in Figure 8.

As shown on the drawings:

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the impact bar constructed in accordance with the present invention is designated generally at I and comprises two sections 2 of any desired cross section, that illustrated being in the form of a cycloid of three revolutions or, otherwise less than the thickness of the back bar I3.

` together.

2 Y aoaacer' stated, simulating three bars of concavo-convex cross section placed edge to edge with their convex surfaces on the same side. The sections 2 are symmetrically arranged to form an impact bar which has the appearance in elevation of a and radiator grill designs, which are generally J -shaped horizontally and vertically at the center. Such a design i'or impact bars is practically impossible of attainment with a single integral impact bar, because of difficulty of making a sharp edge bend and the prohibitive cost which such construction would entail.

It is essential that the connection between the lapped portions 3 of the sections 2 be rigid in order that the bar i may function as efliciently as a single integral bar. To this end, a clamp and securing structure embodying front and back plates l and li, respectively, and bolt means are employedV in cooperative relation.

The clamp plate il is formed as a medallion for ornamental purposes and, for the purpose of l harmonizing with the bumper bar I, is of genorally angular shape in cross section so that the corner thereof is disposed substantially directly in front of the center of the composite bar I as shown at 5. The plate l is hollow, and the rearf wardly extending side flanges 'I thereof are formed with clamping edges 8 of a configuration conforming to the impact surfaces of the sections E for clamping engagement therewith as shown in Figure 3. The upper and lower anges 9 extend respectively above and below the lapped portions 3 of the impact sections 2 and are formed with horizontal edges Il) for engagement with the edge portions of the sections 3 adjacent their juncture.

The rear clamp plate 5 is also substantially hollow and is of a configuration similar to that of the medallion Il. The dimensions of the rear plate 5 are such that the upper portion thereof ts loosely within the upper ilange 9 of the front plate Il, and the lower portion lits loosely within the lower flange il. VThe side flangesY II of the rear plate 5 are cut away at i2 to receive the back bar I3 of the supporting structure. The depth ofthe cut in the flanges II is somewhat Bolt means l@ preferably xedly secured to rearwardly extending bosses l5 in the medallion 4 extend through perforations at thecenter of the overlapped portions 3 of the impact bar sections 2 y and through correspondingly registering perforations in the vertical central axis of the clamp plate 5, and lock washers and nuts I6 applied to Y the'free ends of said bolt means, whereby the parts forming the connection are rigidly clamped it will be observe-d that when this condition exists, the medallion ll iirmly clamps the v sections 2 somewhat beyond the overlapped portions to conceal vthe same, the engagement occuring on opposite sides of the center of the impact vbar I against the impact face thereof, and against the upper and lower edges of the sections 2 in spaced relation to the center. The sections 2 are thereby braced by the flanges i of the medallion 4 from the front and by the back bar I3 at the "l rear against relative movement of the sections 2 about a vertical axis passing through the center of the impact bar. The engagement with spaced portions of the upper and lower edges of the sections 2 adjacent the vertical center of the impact bar I by the spaced clamping portions I of the 5 upper and lower flanges 9, together with the clamping engagement of spaced portions of the upper and lower edges of the back bar 3 by the side flanges I I of the clamp plate insures against relative movement between the impact 10 bar sections 2 about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the impact bar at the center thereof. By making the depth of the cuts i2 in the flanges Il somewhat less than the thickness of the back bar I3, it is possible to effect a considerable Vclamping pressure upon the central portions of the impact and b-ack bars.

With the construction just described, the impact sections 2 are so firmly connected as to constitute in effect an integral bar, yet aord at a very low cost, an ornamental shape whose cost of manufacture would be practically prohibitive if made from a single integral bar.

While one set oi vertically spaced bolt means is illustrated for clamping the plates 4 and 5 to- 25 gether, it will be understood that, if desired, a plurality of sets or any suitable number of bolt means may be employed in order to insure the provision of a rigid connection between the sections 2. 30

The back bar i3 may be connected to the impact bar I in any suitable manner, the means illustrated comprising a pivotal connection at each of the ends of the bars as shown at I1.

The means by which the back bar I3 is con- 35 nected to the automobile frame may be of any suitable character, that herein illustrated embodying connecting arms I8 whose rear ends (not shown) are connected to the chassis frame horns, for example, and which diverge, their outer ends 40 being clamped to the rearwardly extending portions ll of the back bar I3. The portion I9 is preferably formed with an elongated horizontal slot 2G and the arm i8 with a registering hole, and a U-shaped clamp plate 2l is formed to receive the 45 portions I8 and IQ so formed shown in Figure 5. A bolt 22 passing through the clamp plate 2| and portion IS and arm i3 as shown in Figure 5 receives at its rear end la lock washer and nut 23, whereby the parts are iirmly clamped together. The elongated slotor hole 20 in the portion l@ enables the parts to be connected together even though there may be slight variations in the distance between the portions of the arms i3 connected to the chassis frame. Y 55 In the form ofthe invention shown in Figures 7 to 11, inclusive, asomewhat different ornamental design of impact bar is employed, and a correspondingly different clamping structure is used. In accordance with this form of the invention, the impact bar 24 Yis also of the two piece construction embodying half Vsections 25. The half sections are constructed so that when in use, their lower edges 25 lie in the same horizontal plane, while their upper edges 21 are upwardly 65 surfaces 30 which, in the completed bumper, have the appearance of double impact bars diverging from the ends toward the center of the impact bar. The sections may be of any desired transverse section, that herein illustrated being generally concavo-convex asI shown in Figures 9 and 11. Since, at their juncture, the sections 25 have substantially uninterrupted impact surfaces, it is not necessary to flatten the overlapped portions 3| thereof, said portions lying flush against each other even though curved as clearly shown in Figure 9.

The connection by which a rigid joint between the sections 2 is afforded is substantially the same as that described previously, except as to details involving the somewhat different shape of cross section of the connected portions of said sections. The clamping structure embodies a front plate or medallion 33 of generally hollow construction including side anges 34 havingclamping edges 35 conforming to the curved impact faces of the respective sections 25, and upper and lower flanges 36 and 31, respectively, having spaced clamping edges 38 and 39 respectively engaging portions of the edges 21 and 26 on opposite sides of the vertical center of the impact bar 24.

The rear clamp plate 40 is of substantially the same general configuration peripherally as the medallion 33 and ts therein for relative backward and forward movement. The plate 40 is formed with side flanges il which are cut away or notched at di substantially centrally thereof to accommodate the back bar 2S. The depth of the notches 42 is somewhat less than the thickness of the back bar 29 so that the movement of the plate 4d in a direction to clamp the bars against each other will be unobstructed.

Bolt means 43 are preferably permanently secured in bosses Mi extending rearwardly from the forward face of the medallion 33, and are vertically spaced apart substantially by the width of the back bar 29. 'I'he bolt means 43 pass through registering holes in the lapped portions 32 and in the rear clamp plate 4d, and lock washers and nuts 45 applied tothe rearwardly extending free ends o-f the bolt means 43, to rigidly clamp the overlapped portions 32 and back bar 29 against one another.

The construction just described affords a rigid connection between the sections 25 as well as between said sections and the back bar 29 so that the sections 25 function substantially the same as they would if they were integral with each other. Because ofthe particular design of impact bar shown in Figure 7 et seq., wherein the bar is wider at its center than at its ends, the cost of manufacture of the bar in accordance with the present invention is Very materially less than the cost of manufacturing an integral impact bar of this character.

It will be observed that the grooves may be formed by a pressing operation whereby the rear face of the bumper impact bar is formed with a corresponding ridge d6, although it is to be understood that other methods might be em.

ployed in ornamenting the impact bar by the formation of grooves. In order that the impact surfaces of the sections 25 may have the appearance of continuity, it will be observed that one of the lapped portions 32 is offset rearwardly as shown at 4l in Figure 10, and that the medallion 33 is ofl such extent as to completely conceal the overlapped portions.

'Ihe ends of the impact and back bars may be bolted together or connected pivotally as at 48 I am aware that many changes may be made lo and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior 15,

art.

I claim as my invention:

l. Bumper construction comprising an impact bar of non-planar cross section and including sections having substantially parallel faces meet- 20- ing at an angle and having overlapping ends, said ends being attened to afford a substantial area of Contact therebetween, and means associated with said ends for rigidly securing the same together.

25 2. Bumper construction comprising an impact bar of non-planar cross section and including sections having substantially parallel faces meeting at an angle and having overlapping ends, said ends being flattened to afford a substantial area 3g of contact therebetween, and means associated with said ends for rigidly securing the same together, said means including a support bar having a forwardly bowed portion disposed behind and in contact with one of said ends.

3. Bumper construction comprising a built-upimpact bar having two half sections lapped at substantially the center of the bar and arranged at an angle with respect to each other at the center of the bar, a cushion bar connected to the ends of the impact bar and having its central portion bowed forwardly into engagement with the reai` face of said impact bar at the center thereof, said bowed portion affording reinforcement for the center of the impact bar, and means for rigidly securing the lapped ends together and for holding the central portions of the bars in position, said means comprising a front clamp having spaced side portions for engaging the front face of the impact bar on both sides of the 50 center, and upper and lower flanges for engaging spaced edge portions of the bar on both sides of the center, and a rear clamp in telescopic relation to the front clamp and arranged to engage the rear face of said bowed portion and to be spaced from the impact bar, and fastening means embedded in the front clamp and passing through said lapped portions and the rear clamp for rigidly securing the parte together.

4. Bumper construction comprising a built-up impact bar having two half sections lapped at substantially the center of the bar and arranged at an angle with respect to each other at the center of the bar, a cushion bar connected to the ends of the impact bar and having its central portion bowed forwardly into engagement with the rear face of said impact bar at the center thereof, said bowed portion affording reinforcement for the center of the impact bar, and means for rigidly securing the lapped ends together and for holding the central portions of the bars in position, said means comprising a front clamp having spaced side portions for engaging the front face of the impact bar on both sides of the center, and

upper and lower flanges for engaging spaced edge portions of the bar on both sides of the center, and a rear clamp in telescopic relation to the front clamp and arranged toV engage the rear face of said bowed portion and to be spaced from the impact bar, and fastening means embedded in the front clamp and passing through said lapped portions and the rear clamp for rigidly securing the parts together, said rear clamp having horizontally spaced iia-nges having slots of a depth less than the thickness of the bowed portion and having upper and lower shoulders engaging spaced portions of the upper and lower edges of said bowed portion to thereby prevent pivotal movement between the bars in a generally vertical plane.

5. Bumper construction comprising a built-up impact bar having two half sections lapped at substantially the center of the bar and arranged at an angle with respect to each other at the center ofthe bar, a cushion bar connected to the ends of the impact bar and having its central portion bowed forwardly into engagement with the rear face of said impact bar at the center thereof, said bowed portion affording reinforce ment for the center of the impact bar, and means for rigidly securing the lapped ends together and for holding the central portions of the bars in position, said means comprising a front clamp having spaced side portions for engaging the front face of the impact bar on both sides of the center, and upper and lower flanges for engaging spaced edge portions of the bar on both sides ci the center, and a rear cla-mp in telescopic relation to the front clamp and arranged to engage the rear face of said bowed portion and to be spaced from the impact bar, and fastening means embedded in the front clamp and passing through said lapped portions and the rear clamp for rigidly securing the parts together, one of'said overe lapped portions being rearwardly offset and dis posed behind the other lapped portion so that the Y impact surfaces of the sections are in substantial continuation of each other.

6. Bumper construction comprising a built-up impact bar having two half sections lapped at substantially the center of the bar and arranged at an angle with respect to each other at the center of the bar, a cushion bar connected to the ends of the impact bar and having its central portion bowed forwardly into engagement with the rear face of said impact bar at the center thereof, said bowed portion affording reinforcement for the center of the impact bar, and means for rigidly securing the lapped Yends together and for holding the central portions of the bars in position, said means comprising a front clamp having spaced side portions for engaging the front face of the impact bar on both sides of the center, and upper and lower flanges for engaging spaced edge'portions of the bar on both sides of the center, and a rear clamp in telescopic: relation to theV front clamp and arranged to engage the rear face of said bowed portion and to be spaced from the impact bar, and fastening means embedded in the front clamp and passing through said lapped portions and the rear clamp for rigidly securing the parts together, said fastening means engaging the upper and lower edges of the cushion bar whereby relative vertical movement between the bars is prevented.

7. Bumper construction comprising a built-up impact bar having lapped sections arranged at an angle with respect to each other, a cushion bar reinforcing the juncture of said sections, front clamp means engaging the front face and edge portions of the impact bar on both sides of said juncture, rear clamp means at the rear of said cushion bar, and fastening means connected to both of said means and passing through the lapped portions of said sections for securing the parts together.

8. Bumper construction comprising a built-up impact bar having lapped sections arranged at an angle with respect to each other, a cushion bar reinforcing the juncture of said sections, front clamp means engaging the front f-ace and edge portions of the impact bar on both sides of the juncture of the sections, rear clamp means at the rear of said cushion bar, and fastening means connected to both of said clamp means and passing through the lapped portions of said sections for securing the parts together, said rear clamp means engaging one edge and spaced portions of the other edge of said cushion bar to thereby prevent pivotal movement between the bars.

9. Bumper construction comprising a built-up impact bar having lapped sections arranged at an angle with respect to each other, a cushion bar reinforcing the juncture of said sections, front clamp means engaging the front face and edge portions of the impact bar on both sides of said juncture, rear clamp means at the rear of said cushion bar, and fastening means connected to both of said means and passing through the lapped portions of said sections for securing the parts together, said rear clamp means being spaced from the impact bar to afford cle-arance so that both of said clamp means may be drawn tightly against the bars without interfering withY each other.

Vl0. Bumper construction comprising a builtup impact bar having lapped sections arranged at an angle with respect to each other, a cushion bar reinforcing the juncture of said sections, front clamp means engaging the front face and edge portions of the impact bar on both sides of the juncture of the sections, rear Vclamp means at the rear of said cushion bar, and fastening means connected to both of said means and passing through the lapped portions of said sections soV for securing the parts together, one of the lapped portions being oiset and disposed behind the other lapped portion so that the impact surfaces of the sections are in substantial continuation of each other.

1l. Bumper construction comprising a builtup impact bar having lapped sections arranged at an angle with respect to each other, a cushion bar reinforcing the juncture of the sections, rear clamp means at the rear of said cushion bar, and fastening means connected to both of said means and passing through the lapped portions of said sections for securing the parts together, said fastening means engaging the edges of the cushion bar whereby relative movement between the bars edgewise of the cushion bar is prevented.

HERBERT S. JANDUS. 

